The Second City's 50th Anniversary Weekend

December 11-13

Started on the north side in 1959, the Second City has become one of America's great comedy theaters, with a long list of illustrious alumni, an Emmy-award winning TV series (SCTV), and a combined current enrollment of more than 3,000 students looking to be the next Colbert or Fey at training centers here and in Hollywood and Toronto.

The organization is celebrating its 50th anniversary this weekend with performances, panel discussions, and screenings, highlighted by The Second City Alumni: One Night Only—"classic scenes from The Second City archives" performed live by the likes of Steve Carell, Harold Ramis, Jim Belushi, Nia Vardalos, Bob Odenkirk, George Wendt, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard, Horatio Sanz, and many others (Sat 7 PM, $125).

More big names will be on hand for SCTV Reunion, two shows of live sketch comedy from members of the series' original cast, including Joe Flaherty, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, Ramis, Martin Short, Dave Thomas, and "special guests" (Fri 12/11, 7 and 10 PM, $175-$750).